Harlow
The smell of eggs wakes me before my alarm. I’d set it last night to get up and jot some notes about their experience so far. I had an idea to write a book about their journey if it’s okay with the group. I’ll talk with the guys later today to see if they’ll give their permission. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. I have no doubt these guys will be famous once the world has a chance to hear them. I would have an exclusive look into how their life as rock stars started from the beginning. I’m super giddy at the prospect. I just hope they say yes.
I ease from my bunk and note that Phoenix’s bunk above mine is empty. Maybe he slept in the bedroom. The moment I step into the kitchen, my ovaries damn near combust. Phoenix is making omelets, wearing nothing but pajama bottoms that are hanging dangerously low. The corded muscles of his back flex with each flip of the egg. I’m guessing he can feel my presence because he turns and catches me staring. I can see the imprint of his cock as it moves against the cotton fabric. I will my eyes to look up, but then his abs hypnotize me even more.
“Are you hungry? Hello?” He waves his hand to get my attention, and I snap out of my lustful trance. Apparently, he has been trying to get my attention, but I was too busy enjoying the view. Nice. I’ve been busted. “Well?”
“Well, what?” I ask, flustered. I walk the remaining way into the kitchen to see what K-cups they have for the Keurig. I need coffee.
“I asked if you were hungry. I have egg white omelets with just veggies, or you can have the one with the works to clog your arteries. Pick your poison,” he says jokingly. I’m glad that things are light between us this morning. I was sure our store scene would set us back not to even being friends. I don’t even know why I threw Sevyn in his face. He was being all flirty and making me feel things that I’m not supposed to feel. I have forgiven him, but I won’t forget—I won’t get caught up with him again. I was mad that he made me want him, so I lashed out.
“I’m sorry about what I said to you in the store yesterday, Phoenix. I knew you weren’t Sevyn. It’s just you were coming on strong, and I didn’t want that.”
“Old news, princess!” I laugh because his use of my nickname doesn’t sound as condescending as it did last time. “What’s so funny?” He pours orange juice into a carafe.
“Nothing. Look, I don’t want to fight. You guys have a forty-show tour over the next four months. I just want to keep the peace.”
“You’re staying the entire four months?” He looks surprised. “I thought you were only sticking around for a month tops.
“Asher, that sneaky bastard,” I hear him murmur to himself.
“That was the plan. I just decided last night I wanted to stick around. I have a proposal for the band.”
“Shoot,” he encourages.
“Um, I kind of wanted to wait and talk to everybody,” I say hesitantly.
“You need to understand the hierarchy around here, Harlow. I’m the primary decision maker for the band.”
“I thought that was Desiree’s job,” I retort. Our comfortable vibe this morning is slipping away as his jerk tendencies threaten to emerge.
“Calm your tits, princess. Don’t be cute,” he says defensively. “She’s our manager, true. She’s the liaison between us and the label, but I still speak for the group.”
“Wow. Does anybody else get a say? Sounds pretty narcissistic if you ask me,” I push.
“Well, nobody asked you. You’re the one who has something to ask of us. I decide what to take to the group, and then we vote as a band. It’s my fucking duty to look out for us and filter unnecessary bullshit. It’s worked for us thus far. You’re getting into something that is not you’re business. Either tell me what you want or don’t. I’m going to eat my damn omelet before it gets cold.” He grabs a plate and leaves me standing in the kitchen, so I follow him.
“Okay. I don’t want to get into the whole group dynamic thing, so if I need to present my idea to you, so be it.”
He takes a seat at the table, and I slide in next to him.
“I want to write a book,” I rush out. “About the band.”
“What about us? We really don’t need our personal shit exploited,” he grumbles as he eats his eggs.
“I’m not interested in doing a tell-all, Phoenix. It won’t be anything scandalous. It would be more of a rags-to-riches kind of story. The highs, the lows, and the in-between. How you guys started, what gigs you initially took, how you were discovered. That type of thing. Rehearsing on the road, the glamorous and the not-so-glamorous part about your lives on the road, even though this bus is pretty spectacular, you get my point. You guys will have input on the story of your band.” I entwine my fingers as I wait for him to shut me down again.
“Fine, but we get to read it before you publish that shit, and anything that we feel would taint our image will get thrown out. Capisce?”
“Agreed,” I say ecstatically.
“Don’t get too excited,” he warns. “I only agreed to bring your idea to the guys for a vote. They still need to say yes.”
“Of course.” I think the hardest part is over. I don’t see the guys voting against Phoenix if he is okay with it. Now to tell Irelyn that I won’t be back in a month, but if all goes as planned, I will have my very first book written at the end of the tour. This is the happiest I’ve been in a while.
Within the next hour, the guys finally begin to emerge from their bunks. They must have had a late night. I was in bed before nine. I wait until they’ve all grabbed a plate and, more importantly, a cup of coffee. The same coffee that I forgot to make, apparently. My stomach growls, reminding me that I need to eat. I haven’t eaten yet. I’m too nervous and too excited.
“Guys, Harlow has an idea she would like to propose,” Phoenix says when everyone sits around the table. A lump the size of a golf ball swells in my throat. What if they say no?
“Spill it already, Harlow. Your pacing is going to giving me motion sickness,” Asher jokes. Everybody laughs, and I can feel the tension release. I give my spiel like word vomit. I just want to get the idea out there so I can run and hide.
“Hmm. I think you’re on to something there, sis. Not to mention, once we get big, readers will be clamoring to get their hands on it.” I hadn’t really thought that far.
“Really wasn’t thinking about turning a profit. I just think it would be great for school. I’m sure a firsthand knowledge book will go over really well in future classes.”
“Nonsense. You have to always consider your return on investment. From the time you take to write this book, to the money it will cost to get it published—it’s all worth something,” he assures. “I’m completely fine with it. What do you guys say?”
“Just don’t put my body count in there, and we’re golden,” Killian teases
“Body count?” From the three heads Phoenix just sprouted, I’m sure that was a dumb question.
“The number of women he’s bedded,” Asher clarifies as he shakes his head.